Here's a breakdown:
Universal: A universal is something that can be applied to many different things. For example, the concept of "redness" is a universal because it can be applied to many different objects like apples, fire trucks, and sunsets.
Abstract: An abstract concept is one that exists only in our minds and cannot be directly experienced through our senses. For example, the concept of "justice" is abstract because it's not something we can see, touch, or hear.
Abstract Universal: Putting these two together, an abstract universal is a concept that exists independently of any particular instance and can be applied to many different things.
Examples of abstract universals:
* Numbers: The number "two" exists independently of any particular pair of objects. It's a concept that applies to any pair of things, whether they be apples, stars, or ideas.
* Shapes: The shape of a square exists independently of any particular square object. It's a concept that applies to any object with four equal sides and four right angles.
* Moral principles: The principle of "justice" exists independently of any particular instance of justice. It's a concept that can be applied to many different situations and decisions.
* Scientific laws: Laws of physics, such as the law of gravity, are abstract universals. They exist independently of any particular object or event and apply to all objects in the universe.
Philosophical significance:
The concept of abstract universals is a central topic in metaphysics, the branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of reality. Philosophers have debated for centuries whether abstract universals exist independently of our minds or whether they are simply mental constructs.
In summary:
An abstract universal is a concept or idea that exists independently of any particular instance or example and can be applied to many different things. It's a fundamental concept in philosophy and plays a role in understanding the nature of reality, knowledge, and morality.